West Side Story Reviews

Anonymous from New Brunswick, New Jersey

POOR ENUNCIATION

My husband is a big West Side Story fan and I gave him tickets as a birthday gift. Frankly he was insulted by the vulgarity in the "Officer Krupke" song. Also, about 20 minutes into the first act we turned to each other and said we couldn't understand a word that the female actresses were saying, especially MARIA! The enunciation was horrible (we were front center mezzanine).. We just accepted it and tried to enjoy. The dance numbers, orchestra and singing were wonderful.

Mplo from Somerville, MA

BROADWAY REVIVAL OF "WEST SIDE STORY: A CRITIQUE:

As a devout fan of the film West Side Story, I attended a performance of the updated Broadway revival with my sister-in-law and my niece here in Boston, in late June of 2011. Since I've also seen several good stage versions of WSS, I looked at this Broadway revival with a more critical eye. West Side Story being West Side Story, I largely enjoyed it, but the fact that the finger-snapping, the Jet gang whistles, and the message of reconciliation in the end of the Jets and Sharks of its possibility were all taken out of this B'way revival of WSS bothered me, because these particular elements were very integral and very vital aspects of the story. The singing voice of Tony was somewhat forced, and the vibratos were too wide; one could practically skp rope through them, if one gets the drift.

Anonymous from Vancouver, British Columbia

NO CHEMISTRY

Having seen the movie many times although not for many years and adoring Natalie Wood maybe it is a harsh judgement but after crying every time the only reason I was near to tears was at having paid over $100 for the ticket. I found it overall very disappointing, the performances were not polished, there was no need for the vulgar gestures, there was no chemistry between the main characters. . I did like Maria's voice but she looked like a little girl and Tony just lacked, well, everything. Not believable . Will definitely think twice about going to see another play or musical outside of local high school performances. Could unfortunately not understand the Spanish either.

Alisson from New Brunswick, NJ

SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTING

I had an opportunity to see the Westside Story in New Brunswick, NJ today. I was accompanied by two young adolescent children and my mother. Well, while we were able to appreciate to a degree the songs we love and some, not too polished but well-intentioned choreography, excessive sexual content was disturbing. I do not remember so much adult content in the original piece. If you are planning to see it with your children, please evaluate that decision carefully. The singing of the main characters was pleasant, but overall I was left with the sense of something not quite coming together in this performance - the sense of forced movement, forced acting, forced singing at times that I never experienced when on good old Broadway, was with me pretty much through the entire performance. I most definitely had a better feeling after other theatrical experiences.

Anonymous from Denver, Colorado

WEST SIDE FALLS FLAT

Good: quality dancing, singing was on key, set was good. Bad: No charisma, poor enunciation, forgettable actors, gratuitous sex, poor sound quality (at times, the orchestra was louder than the singer; at times, the male lead was singing soundlessly), extensive dialogue in Spanish (what's the point? Authenticity? In a musical with thugs doing ballet? Fail.) The production started out with a dance number, and the first move by the leader was something out of Mr. Rogers Attempts Ballet. It was laughable in a very pathetic sort of way. It broke my suspension of disbelief and the rest of the production did nothing to get it back. Save your money.

Anonymous from Kingston, Ontario

DISAPPOINTED

The only positive comment is that the Maria and Tony characters sang beautifully? The remainder of the production lacked chemistry and cohesion. I've seen better high school production. It was not worth what we paid to see it. We will be more careful in seeing other shows at the Toronto Theatre by checking the reviews especially since we had to travel a distance to see it.

Anonymous from Naples, Florida

SECOND HALF SEXUALLY PERVERTED

I don't believe.reaching down one's pants and smelling one's smegma is in the original script.

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